Hello,

I am a 53-year old female with three grown children; two sons and one daughter who is the youngest and a college student.

At a very young age, my parents rescued my brother and I from communist Cuba and were able to get a visa to enter the United State as legal aliens.  Our immediate focus was to learn English and adapt to a new culture.  Within twelve months, my brother and I  had learned the English  and I became  my parents’ official interpreter.

My parents moved to New Jersey where they made many sacrifices and worked very hard to send us to private schools.  At these schools, we received an excellent education through high school.  I graduated with honors and a member of the National Honor Society and my younger brother graduated as his class Valedictorian.

Within a few days of my high school graduation, I married the father of my children and became a young mother within two years.  I had my three children within a ten-year period while working fulltime as a health/life insurance agent for a large organization.  When they were old enough for me to be able to go back to school, my husband left us and I became a single mother for many years.

My dreams of attending college and earning my college degree became a distant fantasy.  There were a series of unfortunate events which perpetuated the inevitable postponements.  I have continued working within the same industry and contributing my services to the community by volunteering at several organizations.  This month, I returned to college and plan to happily and firmly pursue my education.  I am extremely excited but cannot ignore the fact that it is very expensive and very challenging to do this while working fulltime, paying for my daughter’s college and helping support my 75-year old mother.

I chose a private university because they offer a four-year program that is geared to older working adults and has a great track record.  My own brother earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration through this university and he has done extremely well.

It would be very helpful to receive scholarship assistance that will allow me to pay for books and classes.  I plan to take at least four classes per semester so that I can accomplish my goal within a few years.  I am hoping to inspire everyone around me, young and old, to always have the desire to learn and focus on excellence in their lives.  In spite of difficult and unforeseen circumstances, our hard work, our hope and willpower can triumph over any and all impediments.

Thanks very much for your anticipated consideration!